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Buying guide

Best golf simulator projectors

Chosen from what the Amazon listings state, not tested by us. How we pick

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Top picks at a glance

Compare them all

  • Best overall

    BenQ AH700ST: built for golf, 4,000 lm laser

    Instant Impact Screen Adaptation calibrates to your screen in seconds, as stated.

    Check price on AmazonAffiliate link

  • Best value

    Optoma GT1080HDRx: 8.4 ms, 120 inch from 1.2 m

    120 inch image from four feet, about 1.2 m, according to the listing.

    Check price on AmazonAffiliate link

  • Most features

    BenQ TK700STi: 4K, 100 inch from 2 m

    Native 4K resolution with HDR for sharp course graphics, as listed.

    Check price on AmazonAffiliate link

In a home simulator the projector usually sits above or just behind you, so it has to fill a large impact screen from a short distance without casting your shadow across the picture. Throw distance is the first thing to check against your room. Brightness comes next, because a garage or spare room is rarely fully dark, then resolution and input lag, which decides how quickly the ball flight appears after impact. A laser light source avoids lamp changes in a projector that may run for hours at a time. This guide compares short throw projectors from BenQ and Optoma on throw, brightness, resolution, input lag and light source, as each listing states them. Measure your room before you choose.

All products compared

Details as stated in the Amazon listing or by the manufacturer. See the current price on Amazon.

The products in detail

No. 1 · BenQ

BenQ AH700ST: built for golf, 4,000 lm laser

A projector BenQ sells specifically for golf simulators, with 4,000 lumens, a dustproof laser light source and automatic impact screen calibration. The most golf focused option in this guide.

In its favour

  • Instant Impact Screen Adaptation calibrates to your screen in seconds, as stated.
  • Picture modes tuned for realistic grass and sand visuals, according to BenQ.
  • Dustproof, long lasting laser light source for low maintenance in a garage bay.

Good to know

  • The listing does not state the throw distance, so check it against your room.
  • Input lag is not given, which matters for how fast ball flight appears.
Check price on AmazonAffiliate link

Listing title: BenQ AH700ST Golf Simulator Projector

No. 2 · Optoma

Optoma GT2000HDR: 100 inch from 1 m, laser

A short throw laser projector that puts a 100 inch image on the screen from 1 m, with 3,500 ANSI lumens and 1080p at 120 Hz. Suits bays where the projector must sit close to the screen.

In its favour

  • 100 inch image from just 1 m, the shortest stated throw in this guide.
  • Laser light source with 3,500 ANSI lumens, according to the listing.
  • Accepts 4K UHD and HDR input and runs 1080p at 120 Hz.

Good to know

  • The listing does not give an input lag figure.
  • Native resolution is 1080p rather than 4K.
Check price on AmazonAffiliate link

Listing title: Optoma GT2000HDR: Full HD 1080p laser projector, short throw, 100" ima...

No. 3 · BenQ

BenQ TK700STi: 4K, 100 inch from 2 m

A 4K HDR short throw projector that gives a 100 inch image from 2 m, with input lag down to 4 ms at 1080p and 1.2x zoom for flexible placement. Suits golfers who want 4K detail and fast response.

In its favour

  • Native 4K resolution with HDR for sharp course graphics, as listed.
  • Input lag from 16 ms at 4K 60 Hz down to 4 ms at 1080p 240 Hz.
  • 1.2x zoom, auto vertical keystone and picture rotation ease set-up.

Good to know

  • Uses a lamp rather than a laser, so expect lamp changes over time.
  • 100 inch from 2 m needs more room depth than the Optoma short throws.
Check price on AmazonAffiliate link

Listing title: BenQ TK700STi 4K HDR Gaming Projector, 16ms Low Latency, 3000 ANSI Lum...

No. 4 · Optoma

Optoma GT1080HDRx: 8.4 ms, 120 inch from 1.2 m

A bright short throw gaming projector that projects 120 inches from about 1.2 m, with 3,800 lumens and 8.4 ms response at 120 Hz. Suits brighter rooms and golfers who want a large image.

In its favour

  • 120 inch image from four feet, about 1.2 m, according to the listing.
  • 3,800 lumens and 50,000:1 contrast for rooms with some ambient light.
  • Enhanced gaming mode gives 8.4 ms response at 120 Hz.

Good to know

  • Lamp light source rather than laser, although rated for up to 15,000 hours.
  • Native resolution is 1080p, with 4K accepted only as an input.
Check price on AmazonAffiliate link

Listing title: Optoma GT1080HDRx Short Throw Gaming Projector | Enhanced Gaming Mode ...

No. 5 · BenQ

BenQ TK710STi: 4K laser, 3,200 ANSI lm

BenQ's 4K HDR laser short throw projector with 3,200 ANSI lumens and 4 ms response at 1080p 240 Hz. Suits golfers who want 4K and a laser source and can confirm the throw for their room.

In its favour

  • Laser light source removes the need for lamp replacements, as listed.
  • Native 4K with 95% Rec.709 colour coverage.
  • 4 ms response time at 1080p 240 Hz for quick ball flight on screen.

Good to know

  • The bullets do not state a clear throw distance for a given image size.
  • Smart TV features add little for a dedicated golf bay.
Check price on AmazonAffiliate link

Listing title: BenQ TK710STi 4K HDR Laser 3200 Lumens Movie and Gaming Short Throw Pr...

No. 6 · BenQ

BenQ TH671ST: 1080p, 100 inch from 1.5 m

A 1080p short throw projector giving 100 inches from 1.5 m, with 3,000 ANSI lumens, 16.67 ms input lag and an ambient light sensor. Suits a first simulator build that does not need 4K.

In its favour

  • 100 inch image from 1.5 m with native 1080p, according to the listing.
  • 16.67 ms low input lag for responsive ball flight.
  • LumiExpert sensor adjusts brightness to the room's ambient light.

Good to know

  • Lamp light source, so replacement lamps will be needed over time.
  • Input lag is higher than the 4 ms and 8.4 ms figures of some rivals here.
Check price on AmazonAffiliate link

Listing title: BenQ 1080p DLP Home Theater Short Throw Projector (TH671ST), 3000 Lume...

No. 7 · Optoma

Optoma GT1080HDR: 100 inch from just over 0.9 m

A short throw 1080p projector that Optoma lists as golf simulator ready, with 3,800 lumens and a 100 inch image from just over 3 feet. Suits tight rooms where the projector must sit near the screen.

In its favour

  • 100 inch image from just over 3 feet, about 0.9 m, as the listing states.
  • 3,800 lumens for lights-on use in a garage or spare room.
  • Dual HDMI, VGA and USB power for a streaming stick, plus a 10 W speaker.

Good to know

  • Input lag is described as low but no figure is given.
  • Lamp light source rather than laser, so a replacement lamp will be needed in time.
Check price on AmazonAffiliate link

Listing title: Optoma GT1080HDR – Full HD 1080p Short Throw Projector, 3,800 Lumens, ...

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